A design brief template that is detailed helps create a great design. It answers all of the questions one may need to work on the project.
How do you differentiate a good one from a bad? Let's answer it the other way round. The bad one will be like a grocery list that's written shoddily. There could be a cereal, cheese, toilet soap and a few tomatoes.
People have preferences. When you land at the store and start looking, you realize there are more brands than fingers on your hands. Which one do you pick? Which variety? What weight? The answers are not known and you are at a loss for choice. You need to call the writer and ask for the details and that would make it look like you didn't do your homework well. Or you can pick something at random and be ready to return to the store for an exchange later. Double work and waste of time, really.
A good, well written design brief goes a long way in reducing much of the over-head we just described. The design process is made easier with a good brief. It has the goals and expectations clearly mentioned.
Before you start, do the research. The brand and its social media profiles and Google will yield information that can get you started. Before you get into a call with the client or meeting, you will have some information about them.
Ask questions such as when did the company start and what it is about. How does it serve a market need and what are its objectives in the near term? Most often you will hear people selling their company instead of talking about them.
Find out details of the project you are going to work on. A good design brief gives direction since it has goals and expectations clearly mentioned. Does the client already have something in mind? It could lead to easier solutions.
The schedule and budget are important aspects of a brief. The budget may be a touchy subject but it has to be spoken about. Knowing the budget in advance can help you prepare a design that is tailored for their needs. When should you submit the first copy?
If you have a fair idea of how long this is going to take, let the client know. A design brief should detail the timeline it takes to develop a certain product.
It should mention the intended audience. That will influence your design decisions.
What about the project scope? Is it just a minor change or a complete overhaul? It will also determine how long it is going to take.
Is there anything you can reuse? Logos, brochures, photos, etc that will be part of the project and are already available should exist in the brief.
You should know what are the do's and don'ts. And lastly, every individual or organization has its style. Are there elements you need to keep in mind for inclusion/exclusion?
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